Thanks to those of you who helped me with information about an LC in Chile. What a great resource LactNet is -- awesome. Now, some more quick questions I'd appreciate some opinions on, given that I'm NOT an LC, and so many of you are! 1. Is there any merit in suggesting women do nipple preparation while pregnant *because* it helps focus their attention on the upcoming (new) function of their breasts? 2. What about this statement? "Contrary to the recommendations of most textbooks, soaps can be used regularly during normal bathing--they are not harmful to the skin." Don't many LCs recommend women not use soap on their nipples during pregnancy? 3. What about a 3 sentence description of how to do a suck assessment, with no indication that this takes a lot of training and experience and should be done by a professional? What about the controversy about doing them at all? 4. "Short, frequent feeds may indicate inadequate milk intake." Isn't this actually the way most baby nurse, if allowed? 5. In a section on "Maternal hyperlactation syndrome" the author mentions "Mothers complain of 'knife-like' cramps or 'shooting pains' deep in the breast." She says this is due to milk blockage and stasis. I seem to recall some discussion of these pains being due to thrush infection. Is there a concensus on this? Thanks for anyone's help on these issues! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D. email: [log in to unmask] Anthropology Department phone: (409) 845-5256 Texas A&M University fax: (409) 845-4070 College Station, TX 77843-4352